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You might think you were in a diner in Anywhere, USA, at least until the waitress with dreadlocks and a nose ring saunters over to take your order, a reminder that you are smack in the middle of Chelsea, not off the interstate highway in New Jersey. The Formica tabletops, the familiar counter in the front with two-day-old cakes and pies tucked behind the glass bakery showcase, the peeling aqua vinyl seats, all this could be plunked down in any town with similar effect. The food is reassuringly familiar—waffles with beautiful fresh berries, fresh and generously sized salads, fat burgers piled high with lettuce, tomatoes and onions—and the menu typically expansive. Looking for 15 different varieties of chicken? They're here, and that's just the hot entrees. Also on offer are chicken salad, sandwiches, chicken finger appetizers, and more. They also serve 20 variations on the classic burger, including the Canadian buffalo bison, and a different omelette filling for each day of the month. The Rail Line Diner (which was formerly called Moonstruck Diner, but was independently owned and not affiliated with the other NY-area diners bearing the same name) has all the standards and then some—without stretching too far out of the comfort zone. — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld

Beefburger, $7.25; French toast, $6.95